Les Tres Riches Heures: The Medieval Seasons

The victory of Charles V (1364-1380) against the English, and against his own feudal nobility, marked the beginning of a splendid period in the history of book illumination. During the late fourteenth and early fifteenth century, magnificent manuscripts were to emerge from scriptoria all over Europe, and especially in France, to the extent that this period is often referred to as a 'Golden Age of Illumination'. Among the volumes which were to set a standard for fine illumination were those that emerged through the patronage of Charles's brother, Jean, Duke of Berry, whose interest in fine books earned him the title of 'prince of medieval bibliophiles'. Pages from the jewel of his collection, Les Tres Riches Heures are reproduced here in all their glorious colour and rich detail.

Millard Meiss was Professor of the History of Art at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey. Among his numerous publications is French Painting at the Time of Jean de Berry.